ABSTRACT
The work in which al-Ghazālī focuses most consistently on the question of ta’wīl is al-tafriqa bayna’l-Islām wa’l-zandaqa (al-Ghazālī 1961). The title of this work
can be translated as The Decisive Criterion for Distinguishing Between Islam and Godlessness. Jackson, whose recent translation is used unless otherwise indicated, suggests rendering it as ‘The Decisive Criterion for distinguishing acceptable interpretation from the attempt to conceal unbelief in interpretation’ (Jackson, introduction to his translation: 56). Although the concerns of this work concerning ta’wīl are found in some of al-Ghazālī’s previous writings, notably and Tahāfut, as discussed later, is unique amongst his works in its persistent focus on the issue. It is therefore a fitting text with which to begin this enquiry into al-Ghazālī’s understandings of Qur’anic interpretation. In the course of discussing hermeneutics, alGhazālī raises questions regarding unbelief and apostasy, and makes interesting comments on the status of non-Muslims. Hence this text has at its heart some of the most fundamental questions regarding what constitutes right and wrong belief and how the two are to be distinguished.
